The Chef Of A Thousand Names!!!!

Rima Olvera — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 20:15:29 +0000

I’m sure everyone has heard the saying, “Any press is good press”, right?
Well- that may be true. Although after seeing the context of Tiger Woods’ name splashed all over every media format in the known universe today, I’m sure he would disagree.
However- in my case, my name is spelled completely differently every time my name appears in print. Now this would be extremely useful if I was, say, a spy, a movie reviewer, or a money launderer.

However- since I am a chef, this causes me all kinds of angst.
First of all- without the intention of sounding like an Ungrateful Bastard, I really don’t see how it is possible for my name to be spelled in these recent variations:

Rima Olivera

Rima Aloe Vera (true)

Rima Oliver

Rima Olivier

רימה אוליוורה

רימה אוליברה

רימה אולוורה

“Ok!! What’s the big deal??!! @#$!! Diva! why are you complaining??! Get over yourself!! Jeez!”
I can hear what you guys are thinking- what, you think I just fell off the turnip truck or something??!

Well- first of all, let me point out that as well as being a buzzkill, seeing your name constantly misspelled, is demoralizing. Not to mention, in a more tangible example, crappy for Google searches.

I mean, it’s not like my name is THAT difficult to spell!!
I mean, it’s not like I have THIS guy’s name: Bart Bruyninckx !!!
Yeah- it’s true- This is the Endive farmer who I met in Belgium while filming “Duet” Belgium, with Chef Felix Alen.

Now, as well as this poor guy probably never in his entire life, having the chance of seeing his name spelled correctly, happens to grow the MOST EXQUISITELY PERFECT tiny, baby Belgian Endives in the world, which he charmingly calls “Chiconnettes”.

Bruyninckx Chiconnettes

As everyone knows (especially my old Crew) my favorite food in the world, is Chicory- That means, Radicchio, Escarole, Frisee, Puntarelle, and of course – Endives.

Rima Olvera Devilishly good

This weakness happened to be the reason why I was almost unceremoniously removed from an El- Al flight back home out of Belgium- Apparently, the entire box of Bart’s sulime “Chiconettes”, which I had stashed in my luggage, had an export label which was in numerous languages- including Arabic..
I was pulled aside, and grilled at length on why I happened to be travelling with something written in Arabic. Suffice it to say, after 2 hard shooting locations in a row, an ear infection which required my ear being punctured by a Frightening Belgian Doctor, so I could fly, I was in no mood for diplomacy.
I ranted, raved, told them to remove me from the flight, and had to give my Entire Jewish Family Pedigree in order to be allowed on the flight!! And, it was a small price to pay in order to keep my precious Endives!!!

The Mighty Ones : Michal, Tami, Tal, Amnon, Naftali

Anyway- I seem, as usual, to have gotten off the track- and for that, I apologize!!

However- I hope very much when you email me to thank me for telling you about these ethereal endives, and why never ever to fly El-Al, you will spell my name right!!!

Sincerely-

Rima Olvera